Ask Amy: Ready to give? Here's annual charity roundup

Dear Readers: In the spirit of this “giving season,” I present my annual roundup of charitable organizations readers should consider supporting.

Your donation may go further at a small local nonprofit than at a large charity. I reserve much of my own donating for local organizations that give within my community of need.

All contributions count. So do nonmonetary acts of kindness, such as shoveling a neighbor’s walk, bringing a casserole to a grieving person or simply abiding with someone in need through friendship.

In researching these charities, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to live in an era when generosity and helping those in need is a core value.

This is a subjective list. Your own giving should reflect your interests and values. Most (but not all) of the organizations listed below have a top (four-star) rating on charitynavigator.org, which is an excellent source for researching a charity.

World Central Kitchen: This relatively tiny nonprofit, started by Chef José Andrés, inspired the world with its quick response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. According to The New York Times, “No other single agency — not the Red Cross, the Salvation Army nor any government entity — has fed more people freshly cooked food since the hurricane, or done it in such a nurturing way.”

The recent devastating Camp Fire in and around Paradise, Calif., inspired a similar speedy response. In addition to daily efforts, World Central Kitchen fed 15,000 Thanksgiving dinners to first responders and displaced residents. worldcentralkitchen.org

Donors Choose: Donors Choose connects classroom teachers with people who can help them. On the website, teachers post their classroom wishes, ranging from colored pencils and paper to winter coats and boots for children who don’t have them.

I just contributed toward five ukuleles for a classroom in Lincoln Elementary School in Dolton, Ill.! donorschoose.org

Water Mission: Founded by an environmental engineer and his wife in South Carolina in 2001, this Christian-based charity is on the ground quickly in a crisis, responding to natural disasters, but also to the desperate and human-scaled need for fresh water every day. watermission.org

Feeding America: If you type a ZIP code into this national organization’s search engine, you will find a local food bank within its vast network that will gratefully receive your donation. feedingamerica.org

Direct Relief: This charity, which has a storied history, operates in all 50 states and in 70 countries, delivering medicine, staffing medical clinics and providing medical safety nets to underserved populations. Founded in California after World War II by an immigrant who did well in America, this organization receives a stellar rating. Operations range from serving in Syria to assisting in Houston and Puerto Rico and providing support during the recent wildfires that have torn through California. directrelief.org

International Rescue Committee: Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC delivers lifesaving care to people fleeing conflict and natural disaster. The IRC worked to resettle refugees in Europe dislocated from conflict in World War II, and their work continues in the heartbreaking crisis unfolding in Syria, throughout Africa and around the world. IRC helps people in crisis and continues the hard work through refugee resettlement. rescue.org

Polaris: Human trafficking is modern slavery, and victims are often vulnerable people who are coerced, dislocated and then forced into slavery — often in the sex trade. Victims of trafficking are sometimes in our midst, at bus stops, motels and truck stops. Law enforcement, clerks and long-haul truckers are now being trained in ways to spot and rescue these individuals. Victims can text BeFree (233733) and be connected with an advocate. polarisproject.org

Save the Children: When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there with food, medical care and education. It helps communities to rebuild through long-term recovery programs. The website has a cool gift catalog; purchases help fund the organization’s worthy mission. savethechildren.org

Patient Services Inc.: This organization was founded in 1989 to offset the devastating impact of the high costs associated with medical treatment of chronic illnesses. Their simple mission is to help people cover the high cost of health care, through offering “premium and co-payment assistance.” patientservicesinc.org

Homes for Our Troops: One of my favorites, this group turns funds into concrete action, building a new home or adapting an existing home for handicapped accessibility. The finished home is then given to a disabled veteran. All services and materials are donated. hfotusa.org

Wikipedia: When was the last time you looked something up using this free encyclopedia? Maybe it’s time to donate. wikipedia.org